Annihilationism: Encyclopedia II - Annihilationism - Justifications

Annihilationism - Justifications

Inherent in the Annihilationist stance are notions of divine justice and love. Annihilationists claim that the idea of an eternal place of torment is morally repugnant, and an unfair punishment for finite sins. How can this accurately reflect God’s ultimate victory over suffering and evil, they argue, when it permanently installs a place of suffering in the final, eternal order? Likewise, how can the saved live in blissful joy knowing that some of their loved ones burn forever in hell? Traditionalists retort that only God is qualified to determine divine justice, and raise suspicions that Annihilationists may be succumbing to modern cultural pressures.

Annihilationists also claim that traditional notions of hell depend on Greek ideas of an immortal soul, which have been erroneously read back into Christian scripture. Traditionalists find this irrelevant, pointing to passages in the Bible they claim support the idea of an immortal soul.

Annihilationists also defend their beliefs by stating that that those who believe in the eternal torment theory have misunderstood particular Verses of the Bible. Some suggest that the idea of man having an immortal soul is essentially a paraphrased version of the Serpent's lie to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Indeed, in the final analysis, both Traditionalists and Annihilationists believe their view most accurately reflects the Bible’s statements about hell. Much of the debate revolves around terminology and the highly symbolic imagery of Revelation. Annihilationists argue that passages that speak of the unsaved as perishing (John 3:16) or being destroyed (Matt. 10:28) should be taken literally. Traditionalists argue these should be taken metaphorically. Traditionalists argue that the passages in Revelation that speak of everlasting torment should be taken literally. Annihilationists claim the torment is limited in duration or metaphorical in meaning.

Since the 1960s, Annihilationism seems to be gaining as a legitimate minority opinion within modern, conservative Protestant theology. It has found support and acceptance among some British evangelicals, although viewed with greater suspicion by their American counterparts.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Justifications", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki